Q. How often is it safe to shampoo my pet?

A. With the right products, you can safely shampoo your pet every week. Modern shampoos and conditioners have put to rest old myths about too frequent bathing. In fact, the beautiful coats of show dogs are shampooed at least that often. Regular shampooing will also help control dander and shedding.

How often your pet needs a shampoo is a different question. Most pets require a thorough bathing at least every 4-6 weeks to stay clean and odor free. Depending upon your family's lifestyle and whether your pet spends time outdoors, you may want to shampoo more frequently.

Q. Can I use baby shampoo to bathe my pet?

A. No. Pets' skin has a different pH from ours and human products can be irritating. It's important to use a quality shampoo that is specifically formulated for pets. Always follow with a conditioning rinse.

Q: How often should my dog have a haircut?

A: The answer depends upon both the breed of dog that you have and the amount of time that you can commit to home maintenance of your pet's coat. Unless you are willing to spend time every day brushing and combing your pet, your dog needs a haircut at least every six to nine weeks, depending upon the breed.

Fluffy coats, like Poodles and Bichons, need attention every four to six weeks as do dogs with long straight coats like the Shih Tzu or Afghan and soft-coated terriers like Kerry Blues and Wheatens. Consulting with a professional groomer is a good way to understand your individual pet's needs.

Q: I have a flat-coated outdoor dog. Does he need dog grooming?

A: Smooth and flat-coated breeds have minimal grooming needs, but every dog does need attention. The coat should be brushed once a week to remove the shedding hair and to stimulate a good healthy protective cover. While shampooing is probably not needed as frequently as for indoor pets, you will still want your dog nice to be near. Also, unless your pet spends a lot of time on hard pavement, his nails will also need to be trimmed about once a month.

Q: How do I choose a good style for my pet?

A: A quality grooming salon will have a portfolio of its groomers' work or a stylebook showing different styles and lengths. Look through the book for a style that seems appealing to you. The groomer can explain the requirements for achieving that style in terms of maintenance and cost.

The style you choose for your pet should take into consideration how much time and money you want to spend maintaining the style. Elaborate, show-dog styles require daily maintenance. However, that does not mean that a very short clip is the only option. In fact, an attractive style with some length is possible, as long as you are willing to schedule regular grooming sessions for your pet.

For more information on grooming, consult with a professional groomer. To find a qualified Best Friends groomer near you, see the Our Centers page of this website.